Hanover plans dinner to honor police chief

By MEGHAN PIERCEUnion Leader Correspondent

HANOVER — The community is invited to a dinner next month to celebrate retiring Police Chief Nicolas Giaccone’s 40 years on the force.

Giaccone went on medical leave mid-February after suffering a stroke. He did not return to work and instead retired from the position he held for the past 18 years last month, said Town Manager Julia Griffin.

.“He went out on medical leave in February and we gave him six months to recover from his stroke, but ultimately he made the decision to retire,” she said.

A nationwide search for his replacement has just begun, Griffin said. The town hopes to bring on a new police chief by February or March...Until then, Police Capt. Frank Moran will continue the duties of acting chief he took on when Giaccone went on medical leave, she said.

“It’s always a daunting task replacing department head-level positions,” Griffin said, “But clearly when you have someone that has Nick’s breadth of knowledge and experience,” the task is even harder...Giaccone has an extensive knowledge of the department and case histories that he continues to share with Hanover police even in his retirement, Griffin said.

“Fortunately he’s still very accessible,” she said...“Dartmouth College is hosting a community celebration to bring a lot of people together to thank Nick for his many, many years of service for keeping the community well cared for,” Griffin said.

The dinner is planned for Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Class of ’53 Commons on the Dartmouth College Campus...Dinner is $25, or $30 to include the option of Lou’s Restaurant following dinner.

More information about the dinner can be found on the town website, Griffin said, at hanovernh.org.